For the past five years, several USC students have tried to generate interest in a fraternity for gay men, yet their attempts have failed because of a lack of publicity.

This year, however, Nick Powers, a sophomore majoring in East Asian rea studies who identifies himself as gay, and Vincent Vigil, director of the LGBT student resource center, are hoping to produce more publicity to gain support for a renewed effort for a gay fraternity.

Powers hopes to create a chapter of either Delta Lambda Phi, a national social fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men, Sigma Phi Beta, a fraternity for gay, straight, bisexual and transgender men or Delta Lambda Psi, a co-ed fraternity that aims to connect LGBT students to the surrounding community.

Delta Lambda Phi is the largest and oldest of the gay fraternities. Its slogan is, “Founded by gay men for all men.” Though Powers said he hopes to create a chapter of Delta Lambda Phi, the steps required might pose too much of a challenge.

“The problem with [Delta Lambda Phi] is it’s the most difficult to get a chapter because the requirements are so strict,” Powers said. “You have to have at least 10 founding fathers, set up bank account, get a mailing address — it might be a little too much for us to accomplish.”

Sigma Phi Beta, whose primary goal is to teach queer men about leadership and confidence, is also a potential option but does not have as strict requirements for membership as Delta Lambda Phi. Moreover, it’s a community fraternity, meaning it’s open to those who aren’t students at USC.

“All Sigma Phi Beta sent us was a sign-up sheet for the interest group,” Powers said. “It could be one person, five people, however many.”

Powers feels as if pursuing a smaller fraternity such as Sigma Phi Beta or Delta Lambda Psi, which only has one chapter at UC Santa Cruz and has no colonization requirements, will be more productive in the progression toward creating a gay fraternity at USC.

Powers said that because interest is currently low, they do not want to limit the fraternity to only LGBT members.

“There’s only three people in our group so far, so we’re a bit inexperienced,” Powers said. “We’re not getting a lot of interest, so we don’t necessarily need a frat just for gay people.”

Powers’ goal is to choose one of the three fraternities by spring break and have the application process completed by August.

“We really want to have it soon, and we think that’s possible with Sigma Phi Beta,” Powers said. “Delta Lambda Phi just wouldn’t be possible right now.”

Powers said Sigma Phi Beta recommends its chapters join the Interfraternity Council at the school immediately, while Delta Lambda Phi leaves the decision up to each chapter. Delta Lambda Psi has not specified which council it prefers its chapters to join.

Patrick Lauer, IFC president, said the councils have different requirement for new chapters.

“Each council has its own expansion process,” Lauer said. “IFC has a bunch of requirements that have to do with chapter advisories, alumni support and a bunch of other factors.”

Powers and Vigil are both working to publicize the possible enactment of a new chapter in order to prevent failure this time around.

“Three years ago, California State University, Long Beach came to USC to talk to students about starting [Delta Lambda Phi]. It has always been talked about, but there has been no drive or momentum to finish it,” Vigil said. “This year, the students have been very consistent about meeting and trying to recruit. They’re putting more energy into it.”

Vigil said he will serve as a guide to Powers and the other students involved by researching the different LGBT-related fraternities and talking to chapters at other schools.

“I’m trying to recruit four to five students as a core group every other week as well as information sessions, reserving venues and trying to get the word out,” Vigil said.

Powers said the previous attempts to form a gay fraternity were unsuccessful because people were not actively communicating with each other.

“When we really started last spring, what failed was no one really knew how to organize the group and do this on our own,” Powers said. “We started to realize what’s really important now is to check up on each other every week to keep up to date with progress.”

Powers said he feels the obstacles in bringing a gay fraternity to campus are worth it.

“Personally, before college, I was turned off by the Greek community, but when I saw what it really was, I wanted to be a part of it,” Powers said.

He hopes the creation of a gay fraternity, regardless of which of the three it is, will help to break down stereotypes and build a bridge between the LGBT community and the community at large.

My name is Gary Brewer and I am a Brother of Sigma Phi Beta here at our Alpha Chapter at Arizona State. I just wanted to make a small correction about or organization; we’re not community based. We actually require all of our Brothers to be currently enrolled students of the University or College of which the Chapter is based out of. If you have ANY questions or concerns please feel free to visit our page at sigmaphibeta.org or visit us on Facebook. Go Trojans!

i’m a proud member of Delta Lambda Phi and a founding father of my chapter. Without hesitation, although it was a long process, it made the experience so worthwhile to be part of something as great as this. Best of luck and keep the movement going!

I am gay and I applied to USC for 2015 class if I get accepted I will join this fraternity.. I applaud your article. way to go. even with your busy schedulle you find time to writte . that is wonderfull. thanks

great article . my brother is gay and I think what USC is doing is giving the opportunity to those who have been alowed very little in this country we are from Russia. we have always been denied everything. great article thank you for taking your time in writting this article.

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